Making the Cubs Winners? Now, That’s a Giant Task

Beyond all the complexities leading to Dusty Baker’s departure as manager of the San Francisco Giants, all the schoolyard sensitivities that Baker and managing general partner Peter Magowan allowed to become irreparable, there had to be a belief by Baker that he had led the thirtysomething Giants as far as they could go, that it might be a long time before they returned for Game 1 of the World Series, let alone Game 7.

“Sometimes people want to look for this problem or that problem,” Baker said privately on the eve of a World Series that culminated his 10-year tenure. “Sometimes long enough is simply long enough.”

That sweeping perspective addressed several issues, including the fact that the Giants of next March may have no resemblance to the Giants of October.

Barry and the Seven Dwarfs? Well, Baker knew that could become a reality if the Giants can’t retain Jeff Kent and Kenny Lofton, along with David Bell and Reggie Sanders, who are now free agents through mutual option agreements.

That’s half of the starting lineup and that’s before the Giants contemplate the alarming uncertainty of closer Robb Nen’s 2003 availability after shoulder surgery Friday.

All of that may not deter a top managerial candidate named Jim Fregosi, the San Francisco native who is a close friend and former assistant of Giant General Manager Brian Sabean and who said from his Florida home that he would “love to return to the Bay Area and manage a team” he still considers to be a contender for an ownership he respects.

If that’s all in the eye of the beholder, if Baker was worried about the Giants’ competitiveness next year and beyond (putting aside the issue of respect), the question now is: When was the last decade in which the Chicago Cubs were considered to be consistently competitive?

Unless the Boston Red Sox suddenly become a player, Baker is expected to finalize a deal with the Cubs by mid-week, providing he is assured of input into personnel decisions and ownership is committed to building a winner while Sammy Sosa is still breathing.

The Cubs were 67-95 last year. They lost 36 games by one run because of an offense that ranked 15th among the 16 National League teams and a bullpen that blew more saves (25) than it registered (23). They have a vacuum at third base (unless Baker can bring Bell with him), have to hope that Hee Seop Choi and Bobby Hill are ready to play full time at first and second base, are still waiting for center fielder Corey Patterson to fulfill expectations, remain saddled with overpaid and underachieving Todd Hundley and Moises Alou and are counting on former USC star Mark Prior to perform like an ace.

Baker would also be confronting the Cub curse and a more caustic talk show and media environment than he complained about in the Bay Area.

Then again, everyone needs a new challenge, and long enough is long enough.

Monkey Business

An entourage led by Mexican billionaire Carlos Peralta bivouacked at a Beverly Hills hotel last week while Peralta continued his pursuit of the Angels. High-ranking baseball officials said Peralta, if successful, would like to play an annual regular-season series in Mexico.

Meantime, Disney officials also continue to meet with theater impresarios James and Robert Nederlander. Industry officials have speculated that the Nederlanders could ultimately merge with a group led by Peter Ueberroth, but a person close to the Nederlanders said he doubts they’d be interested in allying.

“The Nederlanders would certainly have partners, but not in the form of another group,” he said. “They don’t need another group.”

Boston Beane?

General Manager Billy Beane has talked the Oakland A’s owners into letting him hear what the Red Sox have to offer. Boston President Larry Lucchino has interviewed seven GM candidates while dumping on his interim GM, Mike Port, and never giving up on Beane. The latter has long said he is reluctant to leave the West Coast, but he is also suspected of tiring of the good fight in Oakland, worries that Miguel Tejada will lead the next player exodus, and thinks it might be time to pursue a richer climate himself. Beane has six years left on his contract, however, and the A’s will demand a steep price in player compensation.

GM Meetings

Under the canopy of tightening payrolls and a new, semi-restrictive bargaining agreement, major league general managers begin their four-day annual meeting in Tucson on Monday.

For Dodger General Manager Dan Evans, with 12 players under contract at $95 million next year and the club determined not to exceed the $117.5-million tax threshold (which includes 40-man roster and benefit payments, meaning the Dodgers are much closer to the threshold than even $95 million would indicate), it is difficult to envision any creative avenues for improving the offense with no market interest in Eric Karros or Mark Grudzielanek and $26 million owed to pitchers Kevin Brown and Darren Dreifort, both question marks.

“Danny is going to have to pull a rabbit out of the hat if he’s going to make the type of move that would give Shawn Green some support and really improve that offense,” said an agent claiming to be familiar with Evans’ frustration.

Evans said it isn’t frustration as much as a creative challenge. He added: “Realistically, we know that we can’t accomplish everything we’d like to do.”

One thing the Dodgers should be able to do is add a left-hander to the bullpen even if Jesse Orosco is re-signed. The Angels may also be seeking a southpaw reliever with Scott Schoeneweis expected to re-state his desire to start, leading to a probable trade request.

Agent Scott Boras said he wouldn’t discuss the situation until he meets with General Manager Bill Stoneman.

Otherwise?

With Stoneman’s World Series winner returning virtually intact and the payroll expected to take a major hit in the process, the Angels have it easy.

Barring a DH search if he does not offer a contract to Brad Fullmer, who received $3.5 million in 2002 and is arbitration eligible, Stoneman admitted that he doesn’t have a pressing need beyond outfield depth if free agents Alex Ochoa and Orlando Palmeiro are not re-signed.